Big 12 teams at a glance

North Division

Colorado

n Coach: Gary Barnett, 29-21 in four seasons

n Last year: 9-5, 7-1 in Big 12 (first in North)

Returning starters: 11

n Outlook: The Buffalos are full of questions on offense after losing their starting quarterback, tailback and four offensive linemen. Senior tailback Bobby Purify rushed for 739 yards and over 5.5 yards a carry last season. Starting quarterback Joel Klatt has only three pass attempts in his Colorado career and will lead a passing attack that ranked 106th in the nation last year. The defense returns eight starters and should be the strength of the team.

Iowa State

n Coach: Dan McCarney, 36-57 in eight seasons at Iowa St.

n Last year: 7-7, 4-4 in Big 12 (third in North)

Returning starters: 15

n Outlook: The Cyclones lack experience at quarterback with the departure of Seneca Wallace. The offense lacked a lead tailback last season with three backs amassing 300 yards or more. Whoever starts at quarterback will have plenty of targets with the team's top six receivers coming back. The defense is led by NFL prospect Jordan Carstens, who anchors the line. The secondary lacks size and is susceptible to big receivers.

Kansas

n Coach: Mark Mangino, 2-10 in one season at Kansas

n Last year: 2-10, 0-8 in Big 12 (sixth in North)

Returning starters: 13

n Outlook: Kansas' season will rely heavily on senior quarterback Bill Whittemore. Whittemore kept the Jayhawks in games early in the season until missing the final three games with an injury. Running back Clark Green, who rushed nearly 200 times last season for 813 yards and led the team with 37 receptions, is only a sophomore. The offensive line returns only one starter from a line that allowed 33 sacks last season. On defense the line will have to improve after allowing over 250 yards rushing a game last season.

Kansas State

n Coach: Bill Snyder, 116-51-1 in 13 seasons at Kansas St.

n Last year: 11-2, 6-2 in Big 12 (second in North)

Returning starters: 12

n Outlook: Kansas State ranked fifth nationally in rushing last season, and with quarterback Ell Roberson and running back Darren Sproles back for another year the Cougars will look to pound it on the ground once again. Sproles, a junior, needs 863 yards to become the Cougars' all-time leading rusher. The defense could have trouble replacing All-American Terrence Newman and five other starters on defense. The offense's main losses came on the line, where the whole left side will be new.

Missouri

n Coach: Gary Pinkel, 9-14 in two seasons at Missouri

n Last year: 5-7, 2-6 in the Big 12 (fifth in North)

Returning starters: 15

n Outlook: Brad Smith took the nation by storm last season becoming the second player in Division I history to rush for 1,000 yards and throw for 2,000. Smith lost his top target Justin Gage but has second-year senior receiver Darius Outlaw and his 46 receptions to pick up the slack. The offensive line is intact from last year led by seniors A.J. Ricker and Rob Droege. The team's weakness remains on defense.

Nebraska

n Coach: Frank Solich, 49-16 in five seasons at Nebraska

n Last year: 7-7, 3-5 in Big 12 (tied for fourth in North)

Returning starters: 14

n Outlook: After holding the rest of the Big 12 at bay for nearly 40 years Nebraska came back to Earth last year. The Cornhuskers squeezed into a bowl game and finished the season at .500. Quarterback Jamall Lord led the rushing attack with 1,412 yards rushing to go along with 1,362 yards passing. The defense is under a new coordinator after allowing the highest scoring average since 1957. South Division

Baylor

n Coach: Guy Morris, 3-9 in one year at Baylor

Last year: 3-9, 1-7 in Big 12 (sixth in South)

n Returning starters: 12

Outlook: Baylor has owned the cellar spot in the Big 12 South since its existence, and this year does not look much different. The Bears are on their fourth coach since joining the Big 12 and ranked near the bottom in total defense, total offense and turnover ratio. The offense averaged less than 17 points a game last season and has only two returning linemen. The play up front will be vital after the Bears line allowed 52 sacks last season.

Oklahoma

n Coach: Bob Stoops, 43-9 in four seasons

Last year: 12-2, 6-2 in Big 12 (tied for first in South)

n Returning starters: 14

Outlook: With 10 starters back on defense from a unit that ranked 10th nationally last year, Oklahoma has made it to the top of most preseason polls. The Sooners did lose their starting quarterback, running back and three of four receivers from last year but should stay strong offensively. Kejaun Jones, Quentin Griffin's backup at tailback last season, scored 14 touchdowns in 2002.

Oklahoma State

n Coach: Les Miles, 12-12 in two seasons at Oklahoma St.

Last year: 8-5, 5-3 in Big 12 (tie for third in South)

n Returning starters: 14

Outlook: Oklahoma State used a big win over the Sooners to finish above .500 and make it into the bowl season. Much of the team's success came from a high-scoring offense, which was held under 20 points only twice all last year. Rashaun Woods, who caught 107 receptions for 1,695 yards and 17 touchdowns, is back to lead the offense. Quarterback Josh Fields is only a junior, and tailback Tatum Bell rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. The Cowboys defense held only one Big 12 opponent to fewer than 20 points last season.

Texas

n Coach: Mack Brown, 49-15 in five years at Texas

Last year: 11-2, 6-2 in Big 12 (second in South)

n Returning starters: 16

Outlook: The Chris Simms era is officially over in Texas. Texas turns over the reins of the offense to junior Chance Mock, who completed five passes last season. Mock's first season should be eased by the presence of top wideout Roy Williams. Williams caught 64 passes last season for over 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tailback Cedric Benson brings back his 1,293 yards from a rushing offense that ranked only 74th in the nation. Free safety Dakarai Pearson leads an experienced secondary which helped the team rank eighth against the pass.

Texas A&M

n Coach: Dennis Franchione, first season

Last year: 6-6, 3-5 in Big 12 (fifth in South)

n Returning starters: 14

Outlook: Dennis Franchione inherits a pass-happy team that ranked 92nd in rushing last season. Sophomore quarterback Reggie McNeal, an explosive athlete, will lead the offense. The Aggies also have Dustin Long at quarterback, who threw for 2,500 yards last season. A&M will move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense, which will put more emphasis on a solid defensive line.

Texas Tech

n Coach: Mike Leach, 23-16 in three seasons at Texas Tech

Last year: 9-5, 5-3 in Big 12 (third in South)

n Returning starters: 14

Outlook: The Red Raiders' pass-oriented offense will be under new leadership after the graduation of Kliff Kingsbury. Senior B.J. Simmons is said to have even more arm strength than Kingsbury, which should keep the offense in the air. Fullback Taurean Henderson is back after catching 98 passes and running for over 700 yards last season. While the offense was stellar, the defense ranked 89th in scoring defense. Add that to a minus-10 turnover ratio, and Texas Tech may have a tough road ahead.

-- JeremyJoffray